Persistence and Recovery of DNA on Submerged Duct Tape

Abstract

Background: Both duct tape and items retrieved from water are common pieces of evidence in forensic casework. However, there is little research uniting DNA recovery from immersed tape evidence. The goal of this study was to test the effects of submersion duration and initial cellular concentration on the ability to recover DNA and short tandem repeat (STR) profiles from folded duct tape that has been submerged in ocean water for up to 2 weeks (336 h), as well as the ability to recover touch DNA from such evidence. Methods: Strips of duct tape spiked with human cells or latent prints were submerged in the Delaware Bay. Samples were retrieved at specific intervals between 1 and 336 h of immersion in ocean water. After sample retrieval, DNA was extracted from the tape's adhesive surface and processed for STRs. Results:The results indicate that it is possible to recover enough DNA to yield a complete STR profile from folded duct tape that has been submerged in ocean water for up to 336 h, provided that the initial amount of cellular material is sufficient. It is also possible to recover touch DNA from latent prints, with full STR profiles recovered from samples submerged for up to 168 h (1 week). Overall, the durability and adhesive nature of duct tape seem to provide protection to cellular material on its surface while submerged in aqueous environments.

Evaluation of Storage Conditions and the Effect on DNA from Forensic Evidence Objects Retrieved from Lake Water

“…Thus, the adhesive part of the tape covers the cellular material and DNA in a water environment. This agrees with a study by Forger et al [ 9 ], in which the authors suggested the adhesive material of the tape protects the DNA subjected to aqueous conditions. The hair samples resulted in very poor STR results from the submersed samples, but complete mtDNA profiles could be obtained for all hairs.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the success of short tandem repeat (STR) analysis from DNA samples recovered from items that have been exposed to water under varying conditions. In general, the studies have revealed that the exposure time in the water, the initial deposited amount of cellular material and the type of biological material directly impact the quality of the recovered DNA [ 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 ]. Shed and plucked hairs, for example, are known to contain small amounts of DNA, and it has been observed that >90% of the DNA in the root portion is degraded after 72 h in water [ 4 , 11 ].…”

Nucleic Acids Persistence—Benefits and Limitations in Forensic Genetics

“…Similarly, it was possible to recover a full STR profile from fingerprints placed on an adhesive tape immersed in seawater for no longer than 1 week [ 182 ]. Much information on genetic material persistence in seawater was provided by Bertolini et al [ 183 ], who analyzed the DNA isolated from the femurs and tibias of drowned bodies of immigrants excavated 15 months after a boat sinking in the Mediterranean Sea.…”